Where to Find the Best California Beach Campsite

The California coast is home to about 40 public “beach” campgrounds and most have some beautiful campsites. The campgrounds scattered up and down the coast from Silver Strand State Beach in San Diego all the way up to Gold Bluffs Beach Campground in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. There are also a handful of beach campgrounds on Catalina Island and the Channel Islands.

CampsitePhotos.com makes it very easy to research, find and see all of the campsites in each beach campground in California (with the exception of just a few, which we’ll add soon). You can also reserve your beach campsite right from CampsitePhotos.com! To find the best California beach campsite, simply search our Campground Directory Map by region (California Beaches). You can also click on the links below to learn more about each California beach campground and see photos of each campsite.

Southern California Beach Campgrounds

• Bolsa Chica State Beach
• Crystal Cove Cottages
• Doheny State Beach
• Emma Wood State Beach
• Faria County Beach Park
• Leo Carrillo State Park
• McGrath State Beach
• Moro
• San Clemente State Beach
• San Elijo State Beach
• San Mateo
• San Onofre Bluffs
• Silver Strand State Beach
• South Carlsbad State Beach
• Sycamore Canyon Beach

Central California Beach Campgrounds

• Carpinteria State Beach
• El Capitan State Beach
• Gaviota State Park
• Hobson County Beach Park
• Kirk Creek
• Montana De Oro State Park
• Morro Strand State Beach
• North Beach
• Oceano
• Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
• Refugio State Beach
• Rincon Parkway
• San Simeon State Park

Northern California Beach Campgrounds

• Bodega Dunes
• Doran
• Half Moon Bay State Park
• Gold Bluffs Beach
• MacKerricher State Park
• Manchester State Park
• New Brighton State Beach
• Sea Cliff State Beach
• Sunset State Beach
• Wrights Beach

Because the California coast is so big, you’ll experience quite a change in climate, culture, topography and outdoor recreational opportunities depending on where you go. Most of the beach campgrounds are on a bluff over looking the beach/ocean or right on the sand/beach. A few are a tad inland, but have walking trails to the beach.

Southern California

You’ll usually have abundant sunshine (except when the May Gray or June Gloom rolls in), warmer ocean waters (ranging from 68 to 73 degrees in the summer), great waves for surfing, clear waters for snorkeling, and some nice surf fishing. There’s also several attractions fairly close to the campgrounds. Most of the Southern California beach campgrounds are located on bluffs over the beach or right on the beach.   Most campsites have flush toilets, showers and RV dump stations and some campgrounds offer RV hookups. Each campsite usually has a table, fire ring and grill.

Central California

Central California beach campgrounds also have great weather and sun most of the summer. Water temps are a little cooler (around the mid-60s). There is also great surfing, snorkeling and fishing in and around the campgrounds. Central California beach campgrounds are located on bluffs or right on the beach, but the topography of Central California is more diverse and rural (smaller cities/less people). Central California beach campgrounds are typically large with many campsites for tents, trailers or RVs. Most campgrounds have flush toilets, showers and RV dump stations and some campgrounds offer RV hookups. Each campsite usually has a table, fire ring and grill.

Northern California

The Northern California beach campgrounds offer spectacular coastal scenery and are located in mostly rural areas or close to small towns. A variety of wildlife can also be seen on land and the sea. Ocean temps usually in the mid 50s to low 60s during the summer months. Fishing and beach combing are great, and there are also a few nice surfing locations. Most of the campgrounds are located on bluffs overlooking the beach/ocean, with a few right on the beach. The Northern California beach campgrounds come in all sizes from the small (tent only) to larger campgrounds that have campsites for tents, trailers or RVs. Some campgrounds have flush toilets, showers and RV dump stations, but others may just have vault toilets. All have water and each campsite usually has a table, fire ring and grill.

Have fun finding a great beach campsite and remember to make your reservations early. California beach campgrounds sell out quickly and often on the first day you can make a reservation (the first day of the month – six months prior to your arrival date). You can also learn more about how to make a campsite reservation by clicking here!